Historian A

Who We Are

Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is “that the future may learn from the past” through preserving and restoring 18th-century Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation.

Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the U.S. The Historic Area is the 301-acre restored colonial capital with 88 original buildings and 525 buildings reconstructed to how they appeared in the 18th century through extensive archaeological, architectural, and documentary research. The Historic Area is staffed by highly trained, historically dressed interpreters and expert tradespeople who bring the 18th century to life. The Foundation also owns and operates two world-class museums, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, and a renowned research library, the John D Rockefeller Jr Library.

About the Position

Conducts historical research independently and as part of a research team, designed to shape the Foundation’s interpretive program. Helps train interpretive staff and responds to questions regarding historic subject matter. Liaison with other departments on specialist subjects, and may propose and design strategies for research projects. 

Main Duties

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

• Serves as a leader of a research team or teams working on major projects as assigned by the Director of Historical Research.


• Conducts and oversees research in response to questions raised by interpretive and research personnel and in support major interpretive goals and educational mission of the Foundation.


• Presents findings in reports, memos, lectures, conference papers, articles, book chapters, monographs, and professional blogs or other appropriate venues to support the educational mission of the Foundation.


• Ensures that projects are completed on time and within budget.


• Serves as a staff liaison to and supervises the work done on projects by research assistants, associates, fellows, interns and volunteers, ensuring that the work meets Foundation and professional standards.


• Recommends research projects in response to the Foundation’s objectives and guidelines.


• Maintains contact with researchers and scholars from outside the Foundation, who concentrate in areas of specialization.


• Responds to queries for information, critiques work, keeps abreast of recent historical literature and interpretive best practices, maintains awareness of state-of-the-art research and emerging historical arguments, and seeks opportunities to infuse programming with current historical scholarship.


• Reviews and consults with program development teams, site managers, and individual interpreters to ensure proposals, programs, characters, scenes, tours, and other programming reflect current historical knowledge and interpretive best practices.  


• Works with colleagues in Research, Training, and Program Design in developing and teaching courses in assigned areas.  


• Presents lectures, audio-visual presentations, tours, and other programs to internal and external audiences.  


• Represents the Division on assigned committees, providing input based on historical reading and research.  


• Reviews materials published by CWF, such as books and teachers’ guides, and other print and digital materials to ensure soundness of historical claims.  


• Performs other related tasks as required.  

This job description reflects the general responsibilities of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Duties and responsibilities may evolve over time based on operational needs.

Required Education and Experience: 

• Competencies usually acquired through a post-graduate degree with academic specialization in Early American History, American Studies, or a related field, and 3 years research experience in a museum or an academically related position.   

• Traditional academic competencies may not be fully required if an individual is a subject matter expert with significant knowledge base derived from non-academic methodologies essential to the position, and at least 5 years’ experience in the field. 

Preferred Qualifications:  

• A doctorate or terminal degree with academic specialization in History, American Studies, or a related field, demonstrating significant experience in conducting advanced/scholarly historical research in a museum or in an academically related position, plus one year experience teaching as instructor of record at the collegiate or secondary level.  


• Knowledge and skills include an ability to read and assimilate information, and understanding of American history and culture, particularly within Virginia.  


• Experience working in historical interpretive environment, such as a living history museum or equivalent. 

Key Skills / Competencies:  

• Possess the ability to develop and conduct original research projects and to perform work independently and as a member of research team.


• Demonstrated ability to handle a variety of projects simultaneously and be part of a research team producing results that meet the Foundation’s standards.


• 
  

  Possess excellent oral and written communication skills to both public and academic audiences, the ability to prepare material of a caliber to be published, and the ability to teach all levels of personnel.

  
  


• 
  

  Demonstrated ability to conduct primary source research, familiarity with current historical literature, and knowledge of proper citation practices.

  
  


• 
  

  Experience writing on historical topics for public and academic audiences.

  
  


• 
  

  Knowledge of colonial Virginia and colonial British America, generally gained through a Postgraduate degree with academic specialization in Early American history, American studies, or related field and research experience in a museum or an academically related position. 

  
  

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

This is not a people manager role however, on a project basis, will oversee the work of teams of historical research assistants, associates, fellows, interns, and volunteers on research assignments, and review, research, and consult with interpretive and museum staff in the development and assessment of programming    

May provide oversight related to the quality of presentation of interpreters or staff involved or be assigned to participate in research or training activities and programs, regardless of department. Will provide follow-up to the managers and supervisors of those interpreters to address any quality or participation issues.  

Physical and Environmental Demands: 

Stand Rarely

Walk Rarely

Sit Frequently

Use hands/fingers Rarely

Climb or balance Not part of job

Stoop/kneel/crouch/crawl Rarely

Reach with hands/arms Rarely

Talk or hear Occasionally

Lifting up to 10 lbs. Rarely/ Not part of job

Lifting up to 25 lbs. Rarely/ Not part of job

Lifting up to 50 lbs. (with assistance) Rarely/ Not part of job

Lifting up to 100 lbs. (with assistance) Rarely/ Not part of job

More than 100 lbs. (with assistance) Rarely/ Not part of job

Wet/humid conditions: Rarely/ Not part of job

Work near moving mechanical parts: Not part of job

Fumes/airborne particles: Not part of job

Extreme cold: Rarely/ Not part of job

Extreme heat: Rarely/ Not part of job

Risk of electrical shock Rarely/ Not part of job

Driving requirement: No

 Typical Work Schedule: 

​​Regular full-time - 40 hours per week ​  

Compensation Disclaimer: The compensation listed below for this position represents the anticipated hiring range and is provided in accordance with Virginia pay transparency requirements. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as the selected candidate’s skills, qualifications, experience, education, certifications, internal equity, and the specific requirements of the role.

Range: $51,300 to $76,900